Hi. My 1985 300d turbo diesel and I are moving from the East Coast to the western Seattle area near Sammamish. We have been together for 30 years, never missed a service, and need to find an independent service garage that knows Mercedes (we went to a dealer out of town once and that will never happen again -- said we needed a new engine when it was only the water pump). The people who have serviced it here for three decades are independent, specialists, skilled and honest and we need someone like that. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. I saw them on the internet and it looks like the same kind of successful independent that I've relied on for so long (A Better Wrench, Chapel Hill, NC). I'll plan to visit.
Update. Need new ideas. Adam Takayochi of Mercedes Garage has left Park Place after providing me with excellent service since 2016. I can't find him. Park Place is different now. I'm looking for alternatives. Thanks.
Based on above I attempted to contact Adam Takayochi. I found an (apparently outdated) Park place webpage that has his bio and contact info. So I emailed him.
This is the reply I got.
Hey (kadini),
Received your email, Adam had left to pursue construction beginning of this year.
However, the same technicians he hired are still here so quality of craftsmanship is the same.
Our gentleman, Ognian, is the specialist that works on classic Mercedes.
Joining the thread as the proud new owner of a 79 450SL, living in Edmonds and looking for the same as everyone else on this thread. Looks like I'll be heading out to Park Place's Mercedes Garage in the near future.
I was very impressed with Car Tender and especially with David.
He did a "post purchase" inspection which is hilarious because a friend gave me the car. Regardless, that inspection costs about $400. While we were at it had him take the valve covers off to inspect the timing chain. The timing chain had been recently replaced and looked good.
One of the passenger side cam lobes was galled. David said replacing that rocker arm would probably solve the problem and preclude any further deterioration of that lobe. He also recommended setting the valves since we already had the valve covers off. And, during that process he found the timing marks at the camshafts were about one tooth off from the TDC mark on the harmonic balancer. He said the car ran fine that way, and it probably wasn't hurting anything but I told him to fix it which involves removing the cam chain tensioner and the cam sprockets. It wasn't cheap!
I gave the go ahead for all of it and he also did an oil change. All told the bill was $2800 but I feel it was well spent.
Turns out the free car my friend gave me is pretty much a basket case underneath. Still waiting for the estimate to fix everything. One reason the estimate is taking so long is they are verifying they can get the parts needed before they tell me how much it'll cost to fix it. I am fearful the total amount will substantially exceed the value of the car. I am willing to go past that point to some degree, but not so far that I could use the money instead to buy a newer nicer 450sl in a lot better condition.
Sorry for the dissertation. Car Tender is a great shop. David is extremely knowledgeable and competent. The only knock is these guys aren't cheap. But if you want the guts of your prized possession in a skilled surgeon's hands this is the place to go.
Maybe you can find a less expensive place to do minor things...
Thanks! And I actually enjoy dissertations as they say a lot about who we are. I’m with you on keeping the car in surgeon’s hands.
My wife’s 450 is in incredible condition as far as we can tell, and hoping a solid post purchase inspection (and check of the timing chain) will confirm that.
Thanks again for sharing your experience, will let you know how it goes for us!
I should note the timing chain inspection is not part the post purchase inspection. That cost more, labor for removing the covers, and he replaced the gaskets, adjusted the valves, replaced the rocker arm, and aligned the timing marks.
Please till him I sent you. Maybe he'll cut me some slack on my fix everything estimate.
Blue 1975 450SL. Just got it back yesterday.
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